Save cash at store with coupons

Renay KnappCooperative Extension

Published: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 6:59 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 6:59 a.m.

We often see stories on TV of how people are able to buy lots of groceries for a very small price, and we wonder how they do it. It is all through the use of coupons, using store ads and time planning.

In 1888, Asa Candler, a selfmade businessman, used paper tickets for free glasses of Coke to help sell his new product. These tickets were distributed through magazines and direct mailing. He offered pharmacists who were reluctant to sell the drink the first barrel of syrup free. When customers came into the pharmacies with coupons, pharmacists were quick to restock the product.

In 1909, C.W. Post distributed 1-cent coupons to help market his Grape Nuts cereal and other products. During the Great Depression, the use of coupons became widespread, and in 1940, big chain grocery stores attracted new customers with coupons.

Couponing is a noun that refers to the redemption or distribution of coupons. This term first became popular in 1954.

Today the term commonly refers to the act of using coupons for free or reduced-price manufactured items.

Here are 10 steps to get you started couponing and saving money: 1. Gather the necessary items to begin the project. Find a basket or plastic file box to store and carry your supplies. You can also use a coupon organizer, a 5-by-8 index card file box with dividers, or a three-ring binder with insert sheets. Locate a comfortable table and chair for your workspace. Other things you need include sharp scissors and pencils or pens.

2. Purchase the Sunday newspaper. If you have family or friends who get the newspaper regularly, you might want to ask them for their coupon inserts if they don’t use them.

3. Cut out all the coupons in the inserts and advertisements of the products you use regularly or are interested in trying.

4. Sort the coupons by store, such as grocery stores, department stores, drugstores and restaurants.

5. Sort the manufacturer coupons by similar items and place them in the method you have chosen to organize and hold your coupons.

6. Choose one grocery store you shop at most often. This store will be the focus of your first couponing experience. Check out the store’s specials in the insert, any store markdowns, any items that are buy-one-get-one-free, and the manager’s specials.

7. Make a shopping list and highlight the items on your list that have coupons or are on sale. Read the coupons carefully to be sure you know the specific quantity and size of the item. Put your coupons in a letter envelope (recycle some of the envelopes you get with your junk mail).

8. Go shopping! Take your list and coupons to your grocery store. Be sure to select the items you have coupons for or are on sale from your shopping list.

9. Use your coupons. At the checkout, give the clerk your applicable coupons, and if you have a store discount card or key tag, be sure the clerk scans it as well.

10. Check your grocery list and receipt for the correct discount application for the coupons and note your savings.

Check your coupons weekly and get rid of those that have expired. As you go through your coupons, highlight the expiration date. If it is getting close, and you don’t plan to use it, lay it on the shelf with the product for someone else to use.

Some grocery stores print coupons for other places printed on the back of their receipts. Keep an eye out for those coupons.

There are many resources for coupons. One of the most popular is the Sunday newspaper. Many of them have several coupons, and some of those coupons are connected to a sale, which increases the amount you save. Direct mailing is another source, and an example of this is “Valpak.” If you don’t receive these in the mail, go to www.valpak.com. They have some that you can print at home.

There are many websites that also provide coupons. Search the manufacturer website for products that you buy frequently. The manufacturer’s website might also direct you to another website that offers coupons for the manufacturer’s items. Check out the store’s kiosk. You could also find some coupons posted there, or near the items on the aisle. Many stores will double the coupon’s face value. Some will double up to a certain amount, and some stores will even triple the amount on certain days.

Here are a few websites where you can find printable coupons:

u Smartsource.com

u PGeverydaysolutions. com

u Redplum.com

u Coupons.com

u Southersavers.com

u Coupon-lady.com

u Couponcaboodle.com Printable coupons also are available on BlueRidgeNow.com. Just click on the “coupon” tab at the top of the home page.

Good luck with couponing! And what a great way to save your family’s money!

Reach Renay Knapp, Henderson County family and consumer sciences agent for North Carolina Cooperative Extension, at 828-697-4891 or renay_knapp@ncsu.edu.

<p>We often see stories on TV of how people are able to buy lots of groceries for a very small price, and we wonder how they do it. It is all through the use of coupons, using store ads and time planning.</p><p>In 1888, Asa Candler, a selfmade businessman, used paper tickets for free glasses of Coke to help sell his new product. These tickets were distributed through magazines and direct mailing. He offered pharmacists who were reluctant to sell the drink the first barrel of syrup free. When customers came into the pharmacies with coupons, pharmacists were quick to restock the product.</p><p>In 1909, C.W. Post distributed 1-cent coupons to help market his Grape Nuts cereal and other products. During the Great Depression, the use of coupons became widespread, and in 1940, big chain grocery stores attracted new customers with coupons.</p><p>Couponing is a noun that refers to the redemption or distribution of coupons. This term first became popular in 1954.</p><p>Today the term commonly refers to the act of using coupons for free or reduced-price manufactured items.</p><p>Here are 10 steps to get you started couponing and saving money: 1. Gather the necessary items to begin the project. Find a basket or plastic file box to store and carry your supplies. You can also use a coupon organizer, a 5-by-8 index card file box with dividers, or a three-ring binder with insert sheets. Locate a comfortable table and chair for your workspace. Other things you need include sharp scissors and pencils or pens.</p><p>2. Purchase the Sunday newspaper. If you have family or friends who get the newspaper regularly, you might want to ask them for their coupon inserts if they don't use them.</p><p>3. Cut out all the coupons in the inserts and advertisements of the products you use regularly or are interested in trying. </p><p>4. Sort the coupons by store, such as grocery stores, department stores, drugstores and restaurants.</p><p>5. Sort the manufacturer coupons by similar items and place them in the method you have chosen to organize and hold your coupons.</p><p>6. Choose one grocery store you shop at most often. This store will be the focus of your first couponing experience. Check out the store's specials in the insert, any store markdowns, any items that are buy-one-get-one-free, and the manager's specials.</p><p>7. Make a shopping list and highlight the items on your list that have coupons or are on sale. Read the coupons carefully to be sure you know the specific quantity and size of the item. Put your coupons in a letter envelope (recycle some of the envelopes you get with your junk mail).</p><p>8. Go shopping! Take your list and coupons to your grocery store. Be sure to select the items you have coupons for or are on sale from your shopping list.</p><p>9. Use your coupons. At the checkout, give the clerk your applicable coupons, and if you have a store discount card or key tag, be sure the clerk scans it as well.</p><p>10. Check your grocery list and receipt for the correct discount application for the coupons and note your savings.</p><p>Check your coupons weekly and get rid of those that have expired. As you go through your coupons, highlight the expiration date. If it is getting close, and you don't plan to use it, lay it on the shelf with the product for someone else to use. </p><p>Some grocery stores print coupons for other places printed on the back of their receipts. Keep an eye out for those coupons. </p><p>There are many resources for coupons. One of the most popular is the Sunday newspaper. Many of them have several coupons, and some of those coupons are connected to a sale, which increases the amount you save. Direct mailing is another source, and an example of this is “Valpak.” If you don't receive these in the mail, go to www.valpak.com. They have some that you can print at home. </p><p>There are many websites that also provide coupons. Search the manufacturer website for products that you buy frequently. The manufacturer's website might also direct you to another website that offers coupons for the manufacturer's items. Check out the store's kiosk. You could also find some coupons posted there, or near the items on the aisle. Many stores will double the coupon's face value. Some will double up to a certain amount, and some stores will even triple the amount on certain days. </p><p>Here are a few websites where you can find printable coupons: </p><p>u Smartsource.com </p><p>u PGeverydaysolutions. com </p><p>u Redplum.com </p><p>u Coupons.com </p><p>u Southersavers.com </p><p>u Coupon-lady.com </p><p>u Couponcaboodle.com Printable coupons also are available on BlueRidgeNow.com. Just click on the “coupon” tab at the top of the home page. </p><p>Good luck with couponing! And what a great way to save your family's money! </p><p>Reach Renay Knapp, Henderson County family and consumer sciences agent for North Carolina Cooperative Extension, at 828-697-4891 or renay_knapp@ncsu.edu.</p><p>></p>